POZOBLANCO/STARNBERG, July 11, 2026
The province of Cordoba is once again set to become the centre of Spanish tennis as the 31st Open Ciudad de Pozoblanco COVAP Memorial Fabian Dorado takes place from 12–19 July 2026. Hosted at the Pozoblanco Municipal Sports Centre, the ATP Challenger event continues its long-standing tradition of attracting top international talent while reinforcing its status as one of Spain’s most prestigious tournaments.
Over the years, the tournament has welcomed world No. 1s, Grand Slam champions and finalists, Davis Cup stars and many of Spain’s leading players. Former champions include Roberto Bautista Agut, Marcos Baghdatis, Jarkko Nieminen, Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo and Stefano Pescosolido.
The tournament has also built a reputation as a launching pad for future stars. Last year’s edition featured Rafa Jodar, who has since climbed into the world’s Top 25, while defending champion Dani Merida has broken into the Top 100 and gone on to compete in the last two Grand Slam tournaments.
Following its successful upgrade to ATP Challenger 75 status for the tournament’s 30th anniversary, this year’s edition offers increased prize money, further strengthening its position as one of the ATP Challenger Tour’s most historic events.
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Tournament Director Marcos Garcia expressed his pride at staging another edition of the event, highlighting both established ATP professionals and a new generation of promising talents, including last year’s world junior No. 1, who are expected to make their mark on the professional tour in the coming years.
Pozoblanco Mayor Santiago Cabello underlined the tournament’s importance for both the town and the surrounding region, pointing to its significant economic impact and international exposure. “Very few towns with just 17,000 inhabitants receive the level of international media attention that Pozoblanco enjoys during tournament week,” he said.
The event also received strong institutional backing, with representatives from the Provincial Council of Córdoba, the Regional Government of Andalusia, the Royal Andalusian Tennis Federation, tournament sponsors and local authorities attending the official presentation.
This year’s player field features competitors from more than 20 countries, including 2023 champion Hugo Grenier, 2023 finalist Juan Pablo Ficovich, as well as Billy Harris, Chris Rodesch and Felix Gill, alongside a strong Spanish contingent eager to shine on home soil.
